Vatican City, Jun 12, 2011 / 06:09 am
Pentecost shows the Holy Spirit created the Catholic Church for all people, Pope Benedict said in his homily to mark Pentecost Sunday, June 12.
“From the first moment, in fact, the Holy Spirit created (the Church) as the Church of all people. It embraces the entire world, transcending the boundaries of race, class, nation - it breaks down all barriers and unites people in the profession of the Triune God. From the beginning, the Church is one, catholic and apostolic,” said the Pope to a packed St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Pentecost is the one of the most prominent feast days in the Christian calendar. It is often referred to as the “birthday of the Church.”
It marks the day, nearly 2,000 years ago, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, who had been living in fear for 50 days following the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.